Wardrobe changes

Sirius never wears scarves.

Even in the depths of Scotland’s winter with Hogwarts buried in two feet of snow, the woolliest item he might fathom is a set of gloves. But never a scarf.

Thus, one Saturday as he sits down to breakfast, the bright yellow material wrapped snug around his neck draws attention.

“You’re wearing a scarf,” Peter states.

“Are you a Hufflepuff now, Pads?” James adds, “Yellow’s really not your colour.”

“I can wear a scarf if I want to.”

“I didn’t even think you owned something so practical,” James replies.

Remus is silent. Fortunately, Sirius has drawn too much attention for either of their friends to notice his sudden inability to make eye contact with any of them.

“Just because you can’t pull off such a bold fashion statement,” says Sirius around a mouthful of beans, “doesn’t mean the rest of us can’t.”

But it does not end there.

The length of their cold trudge to Hogsmeade, both James and Peter tease him relentlessly. Did some Hufflepuff girl leave the garment with him? Is there some gossip he isn’t telling them? Is this the start of a radical redefinition of his usually entirely black wardrobe choices?

Remus remains silent. This isn’t so unusual. What is unusual is that Sirius does not try and rope him into their banter.

Soon, teasing alone is not enough. Giggling with glee, James darts forward and pulls at the scarf, exposing Sirius’ bare neck to the frosty air as he dances away.

He does not respond quickly enough.

There, for all to see, a purple love bite marks the soft skin under Sirius’ jaw.

Remus hides his face in his hands.

//

Written in response to the December 2023 @wolfstarmicrofic prompt 'Scarf'.

[279 words]